There are calls for County Councils to be stripped of the responsibility to provide Traveller accommodation.

Travellers rights' groups have said the issue has become too contentious for local authorities to deal with.

They want the Government to set up an independent body to take over the job and de-politicise the issue.

They are planning a major protest outside the Dáil this lunchtime with those representing Travellers around the country.

Patrick Nevin of lobby group Minceirs Whiden has said the Carrickmines fire proves things need to change.

“The vast majority of county councils haven’t provided the appropriate accommodation,” Mr Nevin said.

“You take the example again and dare I say it of the Carrickmines situation, when the Council did identify emergency location for the families, local residents came out and opposed that and the Council caved in.”